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Tree-Friendly Development: The Role of a Consulting Arborist

This article is the final one in a series about tree-friendly development. In past articles we discussed tree-friendly design and building practices. Today, we discuss the vital role of a consulting arborist in the tree preservation process.

All arborists are not the same

“Arborist” is a generic term for a tree specialist. “Certified Arborist” means a person who has a certain amount of experience in the industry, may or may not hold a degree in the field, and has passed an entry-level, 200-question multiple choice exam covering a wide variety of arboricultural topics. Many professionals in the green industry including landscape architects, landscape contractors, gardeners and municipal urban foresters become Certified Arborists, but not all Certified Arborists are qualified to be consultants.

“Consulting Arborist” is also a generic term and does not refer to a specific credential. However, most are Certified Arborists and many (at least in the U.S.) are members of ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists). Consulting arborists are called upon to solve complex tree problems and often write reports and specifications. A Tree Protection Plan for a development project is a common assignment for a consulting arborist.

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Involve the arborist early and often

For best results, the consultant should visit the site during the planning stage, before a final design has been drawn up, and take inventory of the trees. The arborist assesses existing trees for health and hazard potential and researches which ones may be protected by local ordinance.

Some removal recommendations may come from this initial site visit – there’s no need to spend time and money protecting dead, infested or hazardous trees. The consultant can then make design recommendations conducive to preserving the trees that are worthy of preservation or required to be protected. It’s far easier to protect trees when the design and building process encroaches lightly on their roots and canopy.

I remember being called to an active construction site one time on a residential property. The contractor wanted to preserve an attractive European white birch tree (Betula pendula) in the middle of the back yard. However, the finalized plans had called for grade cuts within a few feet of the tree on the north, east and south sides to build a staircase and landings. By the time I was called, the excavation had already been done, with structural roots torn. On the west side of the tree, roots were constrained by a retaining wall, so the tree had few resources to draw from there.

I told the contractor that the tree could not be preserved because it had been rendered hazardous by having the majority of its structural roots removed. Even if the tree could have been somehow mechanically propped up, too many fine feeder roots had been destroyed for the tree to nourish itself. The restricted root area on the west side could not support enough roots for the tree to remain healthy and stable.

This was not the answer the contractor wanted to hear. “The client is very interested in preserving this tree,” he said. Last year, a good amount of money had been spent on pruning and shaping and the tree was a centerpiece of the yard. However, they had not consulted an arborist in the planning and design stages of the remodel project. I apologized that I could not mitigate such severe impacts once they had already happened. Had I seen the plans prior to their approval and execution, I could have written design recommendations and specifications for the contractor. Preventing negative impacts is easier than mitigating them. I don’t know whether they followed my removal recommendation but I do believe this – one way or another, the client lost that tree.

A few minutes with a backhoe can kill a tree

In addition to pre-construction recommendations, the consulting arborist should be involved throughout the project. Unforeseen issues often pop up in the field – large roots may be found in unexpected places, irrigation water gets turned off, or site conditions may force a change in the design, means or methods. The initial Tree Protection Plan recommendations lose impact with time and as more subcontractors visit the site. Years of careful tree preservation can be undone in a few minutes with a backhoe.

When the consultant is visiting the development site regularly, many unintended negative impacts can be prevented. Only the consultant has the historical knowledge and awareness of what has happened to the trees and what needs to be done going forward.

Some municipalities have a requirement for a “Project Arborist” to visit the site on a scheduled basis and/or whenever work takes place within designated Tree Protection Zones. If yours doesn’t, include these visits in your project for best tree preservation results. Good communication between the contractor and the arborist are a must for this to work – the arborist has to know when work is being done that will affect existing trees.

Conclusion

 

The mere presence of a consulting arborist on a development project does not guarantee successful tree preservation. It takes continuous collaboration between the arborist, designers, contractors, owners and municipalities before, during and after a project to keep existing mature trees healthy and stable. When the dust settles, and the finished building is shaded, private and aesthetically pleasing due to the existing mature trees, all the work will have been worth it.

 

Ellyn Shea is a consulting arborist in San Francisco.

Massachusetts Office of TransportationCC BY-ND 2.0 (top image). All other photos courtesy of the author.

10 comments

  1. If I had the option to go back and consult an arborist about our landscape I would. I have already replaced one tree and am worried about losing another. I know you mentioned that it doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives you the best chance.

  2. Thank you for explaining the differences between a Consulting and Certified Arborist. I only have an idea on what they do, but I learned so much with your article. Thanks for the share!

  3. I agree – the collaboration between the designers, arborist, contractors, etc., is what we need more of in the arborist & tree care community. Thx for the great read.

  4. Sometimes it does take multiple arborists because of the complexity and intricate nature of trees. Find someone you trust who is reputable in the community

  5. I want to have some trees grown on my property, but I don’t know how to do it right. It makes sense that hiring an arborist would be a good idea for me! I’ll make sure that I find one who has lots of experience. That way I know that they have done this before, and can likely do it again!

  6. It is really important for people to understand just how much coordination needs to take place on construction projects like this. Really great article.

  7. I’m going to be doing some landscape work that might end up damaging the tree in my yard. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to help me ensure that I get the work done without damaging it. I’ll start looking around for an arborist!

  8. I agree with this article 100%. Having more people that are adjacent to their niches that specialties collaborating will help each job run smoother and more efficiently. Glad I ran into this.

  9. Here’s the thing: most people will assume they can take on tree care projects themselves. And while I get that, they may be confusing landscaping with tree services. Tree Services/Aborists are licensed by the state and know how to treat and care for mediation, utility protection, property lines, etc. In my opinion, always call a consulting arborist.

  10. mark

    the most important attribute arborists can, consulting, certified, etc. is knowing what cant be done

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